Development

Changes Made to Garage in Athenahealths’ Renovation of the Arsenal Complex

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Some significant changes have been made to the proposed first phase of the Arsenal on the Charles renovation, including an alteration of the garage. 

Tuesday night, official from complex-owners Athenahealth discussed Phase 1 of the project, which will go before the Planning Board in September. The most significant change will be the removal of one of the two underground levels of parking in the new structure going on the west side of the Arsenal on the Charles. The change was made because there were some concerns about groundwater and soil removal, said Bob Corning, senior principal with Stantec. “The massing and height of the garage will be the same,” Corning said. “The underground level will be a bit taller to allow for stacked parking (cars on lifts) in the future if necessary.”

Elections

See What a Group of Voters Decided About Legalizing Marijuana in Mass.

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Following three days of presentations and testimony a group of voters from around the state have put together a statement to help voters navigate Question 4, the ballot measure that, if passed, would legalize the sale of marijuana in Massachusetts. The group of 20 voters, who are from a range of areas, backgrounds and ages, met in Watertown as part of the Massachusetts Citizens’ Initiative Review pilot program. State Rep. Jonathan Hecht was one of the people spearheading the effort, which also was lead by Tufts University’s Tisch School of Civic Life, as well as, Healthy Democracy, a group that started the CIR process in the state of Oregon. Last week, the voters heard from proponents and opponents of the ballot measure, along with five neutral experts in fields relevant to marijuana legalization, including health, finance, the law and people from states where marijuana has been legalized. The created a statement that, if the CIR process is adopted by the Massachusetts Legislature, would be included in the voter information pamphlet sent out by the Secretary of State’s office.

Arsenal Park

Subcommittee Wants to Look at Putting Temporary Lights at Park

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With a growing youth sports program and limited field space in Watertown, a Council subcommittee recommended allowing temporary lights at a town park. The Human Services subcommittee voted to support having temporary lights at Arsenal Park, said Councilor Aaron Dushku, vice chairman of the subcommittee. “The council will listen to the report, ask questions and make a vote when we next reconvene as a whole,” Dushku said. “Naturally, this will be a recommendation to the administration that they work out the finer details of the process -some of which were discussed.” The subcommittee meeting was well attended, with a large contingent of residents who live near Victory Field.

Development

2 Meetings on 2 Big Projects on Arsenal Street This Week

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Find out the latest on two big project that will reshape Arsenal Street this week during separate community meetings. On Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, a meeting will be held to discuss Phase One of the AODD Campus Master Plan – the renovation of the Arsenal on the Charles. The meeting takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. at 311 Arsenal Street, Watertown, in Building 311 in the complex (Athenahealth). The first phase includes a large new parking garage on the west side of the project, as well as a new building on Arsenal Street with retail and commercial spots, and community space. See more details here.

Elections

Group of Voters Consider Pros and Cons of Ballot Measure to Legalize Marijuana

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The ballot measure that has drawn the most attention and heated debate is being hashed out by a group of voters who gathered in Watertown this week, and in the end, they will come up with a statement about Question 4, the proposal to legalize the sale of marijuana. On the first day of the four day process, the group of 20 voters chosen from around the state heard presentations about the current law, and from the Yes and No campaigns for Question 4. The group gathered at the Atrium School in Watertown, and the process, called the Citizens’ Initiative Review, is a pilot of a program that is supported by Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht. Current laws regarding marijuana are confusing. In Massachusetts it was decriminalized in 2008 and medical marijuana was legalized in 2012, however, in federal law it remains illegal, but is in Schedule 1, the lowest, least serious of the five federal categories.

Government

State Officials Recommend Being Prepared for Hurricanes, Tornadoes

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Hurricanes and tropical storms are not just coastal events. As we saw in 2011 with Tropical Storm Irene, the strong winds and torrential rainfall that often are associated with hurricanes and tropical storms can cause widespread damage well inland and across the entire state. A storm’s strong winds can destroy buildings, down trees and power lines, and result in widespread power outages across the entire state. Additionally, large amounts of rain, particularly over a short period of time, can trigger destructive inland flooding. “The sometimes forgotten threat associated with hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly in our inland communities, is flooding,” stated Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Director Kurt Schwartz.

Elections

LETTER: Concerned Homeowners Group Opposes Proposed CPA

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We wanted to share with you the Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association position statement on the Community Preservation Act (CPA) initiative. Let’s all try and remember-this is a TAX. We have heard from many about door knocking campaigns to obtain the required signatures to put the question on the ballot in November. Please find our reasons for opposing the CPA Tax. Reasons to Reject the Community Preservation Act (CPA):

1 – The School Committee reported that we are out of classroom space in our schools, and that means we have a high probability of having to raise taxes to meet that NEED.

Government

Discussion of Temporary Lights at Victory Field Coming to a Subcommittee This Week

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A Town Council subcommittee will meet Tuesday to discuss using temporary lights to light fields in town, including the track and oval at Victory Field, for youth sports. The Human Services Committee will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. The meeting comes around the same time that a committee will be appointed to discuss of renovation the track area of Victory Field. The subject is being restarted after a contentious first attempt where many residents opposed putting in artificial turf in the middle of the oval, and neighbors objected to adding lights to the field. Watertown youth sports programs have complained that they do not have enough time on fields.